BECOMING A FREEMASON

BECOMING A FREEMASON

SIX STEPS TO INITIATION

PRESENTED BY: WB JOE TRERICE
TO THE MW GRAND LODGE F & AM OF ALASKA - FEBRUARY 8, 2014

SIX STEPS TO
INITIATION

WAS DEVELOPED ON THE PREMISE THAT
THE CHIEF CONCERN OF THE LODGE IS
WITH ITS WELFARE, THE HAPPINESS, AND
THE MASONIC DEVELOPMENT OF ITS
MEMBERS, NOT WITH THE ADMISSION OF
EVERYONE WHO SEEKS ENTRANCE TO ITS
DOORS.
HAD THE EARLY FREEMASONS OPENED
THE DOORS TO THE SAME PEOPLE WE
SOMETIME ACCEPT TODAY IN THE NAME OF
“NEEDING MEMBERS”, IT IS QUESTIONABLE
IF WE WOULD EXIST TODAY.

DOES THIS APPLY TO YOUR LODGE?

• More members than the Lodge can handle.
• Every Brother is super active, always engaged
• Every Brother knows his ritual work inside and out - by memory
• Your Lodge never has a request for a demit
• Your Lodge has never suspended a Brother for NPD

SO, WHO IS A FREEMASON?

THERE IS NO SINGLE ANSWER BUT I BELIEVE THAT HE MUST BE
MORE THAN JUST A DUES PAYER OR PIN WEARER.
HE MUST ALSO BE:
• A JUST AND UPRIGHT MAN
• A GENTLEMAN
• BENEVOLENT
• A SCHOLAR
• A TEACHER
• A FRIEND

TRADITIONAL APPROACH

• In the past most who approached Freemasonry came well
recommended by another freemason. They were either a family
member, a long time friend or workmate and some freemason
could vouch as to their character.

• Today’s world is different and many contact us via the internet or
by telephone; there is little or no personal relationship, we know
absolutely nothing about them, and it is not possible for any
freemason to recommend anyone under these circumstances.

WHY IS A PROGRAM LIKE THIS NECESSARY?

• to strengthen our lodges? - Definitely
• to retain current members? - Absolutely
• to promote fellowship? - Certainly
• to increase our membership? - Not necessarily

THE SIX STEPS

STEP 1 - MAKING CONTACT

• Contact prospective candidate by telephone
• Arrange a face-to-face meeting
• Bring questions he may have about freemasonry to your first

meeting

STEP 2 - THE FIRST MEETING

• What brings him to Freemasonry
• Review his Questions
• Explain the Traditional Approach.
• Freemasonry is a life decision
• Give two page hand-out to candidate
• Home work assignment

STEP 3 - THE SECOND MEETING

• Just you and the candidate
• Did he do his homework
• Discuss your Lodge and the structure of a Lodge
• Describe everything about your Lodge and how it functions
• Homework - Memory work

STEP 4 - THE THIRD MEETING

• Casual meeting - very little talk about the Craft
• Introduce the candidate to fellow Mason
• Explain the importance of memory work
• Have him recite the memory work he was assigned
• Invite to a social function - to meet and get to know members of

your Lodge.
• Explain that there may be some costs. Everybody pays.

STEP 5 - THE SOCIAL MEETINGS

• Encourage the candidate to attend a couple festive boards
• Attend a social event that includes spouses
• Excellent opportunity to meet other members
• Get a feel whether the Lodge is for him

STEP 6 - THE PETITION

• Meet socially at least three times.
• Sponsoring the candidate
• Peace and harmony are paramount.
• Present the petition.

“We have all the light we need,
we just need to put it in
practice”

-Brother Albert Pike